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# AI Researcher

- **Company:** National Security Agency
- **Location:** Fort Meade, MD, United States
- **Experience:** Experienced
- **Salary:** $87,362.0 - $197,200.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Neural Networks, Computer Vision, Computational Linguistics, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, Information Leak Prevention, Email Filtering, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Information Theory, Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Open Source Technology, Rapid Prototyping Process, Tensorflow, Microsoft Copilot, Software Engineering, Pytorch, Retrieval-Augmented Generation, Large Language Models, Deep Learning, Generative AI, Fastapi, Discretization, GGUF, Containerization, Information Technology, Power Analysis (Cryptography), Transformer Architectures, Ollama, VLLM, Streamlit Framework, GPT, Software Version Control
- **Published:** October 5, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=8bcc5eaecbb37740

## About the Role

The qualifications listed are the minimum acceptable to be considered for the position. Degrees must be in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Statistics, Operations Research, Engineering, Computational Linguistics, Quantitative Finance, or Physical or Biological Sciences; all degrees must include coursework in linear algebra, multivariable (vector) calculus, and programming. Relevant experience must include one or more of the following: deep learning, neural networks, generative AI, or computer vision. ENTRY/DEVELOPMENTAL Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree and no experience, or a Master's degree and no experience. Additional experience may also include research and/or development in any technical area. FULL PERFORMANCE Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 5 years of
relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 1 year of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree and no experience. Additional experience may also include research and/or development in any technical area. SENIOR Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 8 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 6 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 4 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 2 years of relevant experience. Experience must also include research and/or development in AI. EXPERT Entry is with an Associate's degree plus 11 years of relevant experience, or a Bachelor's degree plus 9 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree plus 7 years of relevant experience, or a Doctoral degree plus 5 years of relevant experience. Experience must also include research and/or development in AI and experience in leading
people or projects., AI/ML - Deep learning frameworks (PyTorch, JAX, TensorFlow) - Transformer architectures, large language models, and multi-modal systems - Model training, fine-tuning, and parameter-efficient adaptation; preference optimization (RLHF/DPO) - Retrieval-augmented generation, agentic architectures, and tool use - Inference and serving stacks (vLLM, Ollama, TGI); quantization (GGUF, AWQ, GPTQ) Research & Evaluation - Experimental design: controls, baselines, ablations, threat-to-validity analysis - Applied statistics: significance testing, confidence intervals, power analysis, effect size - Evaluation methodology: metric design, adversarial and held-out test-set construction, human evaluation protocols - Model analysis: probing, attribution, interpretability, behavior and representation analysis - AI robustness and safety: prompt injection, adversarial inputs, data leakage and memorization - Critical reading of the ML research literature Mathematics & Computing -
Linear algebra, probability, optimization, information theory, statistical inference, numerical methods - Python and the scientific stack; version control and collaborative development - Containerization - Rapid prototyping of AI applications (Python, FastAPI, Gradio/Streamlit, web fundamentals) - Reproducible research practice: experiment tracking, environment and dependency management Communication & Domain - Technical writing, briefing, and presenting to technical and non-technical audiences - Domain grounding (developed on the job): NLP, speech, vision, cybersecurity, HCI, or geospatial as assignment requires

## Description

internals, robustness, and safety, including how AI systems can be attacked, manipulated, or induced to fail. - Assess vendor, open-source, and internally developed AI systems against government baselines and mission requirements. - Track the external state of the art and provide critical, evidence-based assessments of new models and techniques. - Communicate results through technical reports, briefings, prototypes, and internal publications; mentor junior researchers and interns., As an AI Researcher at NSA, you will investigate, characterize, and extend what AI systems can do for the mission. The work spans rigorous evaluation and method development (benchmarking, training approaches, model analysis) through applied prototyping that turns emerging capabilities into working tools. You may be assigned to a research organization, embedded with a mission element, or enrolled in a development program that rotates you through several. In each case you will work alongside NSA experts in AI, mission subject matter, and related technical fields, with opportunities to participate in internal technical roundtables and external conferences. Please attach a copy of your resume and all transcripts (unofficial are fine) as part of your application to speed processing., Apply soonest, as job postings can close earlier than stated end dates due to changes in requirements. It is important to review and note the minimum qualifications, as only those applicants who meet the required qualifications will be contacted to continue the employment process. Please populate the resume tool to showcase any relevant work experience and education related to the position and answer any applicable screening questions. Information collected will be used to determine eligibility, and failure to provide accurate information may result in disqualification for this position. A confirmation email will be sent after submission of the first application and also after any future updates to submitted applications. **Due to time sensitive communications regarding applications, please ensure your spam filters are configured to accept email from noreply@intelligencecareers.gov. For job vacancies that include stated testing requirements, also include the following:
@uwe.nsa.gov, @nsa.gov, and @pearson.com** U.S. Citizenship is required for all applicants. NSA is an equal opportunity employer and abides by applicable employment laws and regulations. All applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a security background investigation and polygraph. NSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities during the application and hiring process. The following four narrative questions provide an opportunity for you to highlight your dedication to public service for the hiring manager and agency leadership (or designee(s)). While your responses are not required and will not be scored, we encourage you to thoughtfully address each question. Please provide a response of 200 words or less to each question. You will be asked to certify that you are using your own words and did not
use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) such as a large language model (LLM) like ChatGPT or Copilot. (Please attach in application) 1. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? Provide a concrete example from professional, academic, or personal experience. 2. In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Provide specific examples where you improved processes, reduced costs, or improved outcomes. 3. How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? Identify one or two relevant Executive Orders or policy initiatives that are significant to you, and explain how you would help implement them if hired. 4. How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Provide one or two specific
examples, and explain how those qualities would enable you to serve effectively in this position.